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Sunday, July 19, 2015

Trail of Tears National Historic Trail site on the banks of Roubidoux Creek

Pulaski County has a varied and interesting history. From pre-Civil War to present, travelers have passed through and settlers have found homes in the region.

History of the Roubidoux

In 1830, Congress passed the Indian Removal Act, demanding Indians relocate west of the Mississippi River. Many of the Indians refused to voluntarily leave. By 1838, the Army began the forced removal of those remaining. Chief John Ross asked the government to let the Cherokee control their journey. He then organized detachments of approximately 1,000 each. The Indians traveled by foot or horse and wagon to complete the 800-mile journey.

Roubidoux Creek

The Trail of Tears National Historic Trail follows the routes the Cherokees took in their forced march from their homes in the southeastern US to the newly established Indian territory in Oklahoma. The northern route took them through southern Missouri. In 1838-1839, thousands of Cherokees camped next to the Roubidoux Spring in Waynesville.

Trail of Tears Monument in Waynesville

Resting Place for the Weary

From Rev Daniel S Butrick's diary

They made camp next to the creek, ate from their meager food supply and rested before continuing on their journey. Illness, bad weather, hunger and death became their constant companions and the trail is littered with the graves of those who never reached their destination.

The Roubidoux monument is one of several across southern Missouri. This trail commemorates a dark piece of American history. Take the time to visit one or more sites along this trail.

A friend, author Kitty Sutton, has written a series of young adult novels based on the Trail of Tears. Check them out on Amazon.com.